Hangman's Tree

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Hangman's Tree (Historic Spot). Located on main street, in the heart of the business district of modern Placerville, one of the colorful mining camps in California in the early 1850's Early in its career, the town took the name o "Hangtown," following the hanging of three robbers form a giant oak tree that once grew on this spot. The robbers had stolen fifty ounces of gold dust from a French miner. Subsequent hangings at this spot were numerous and the community retained its hang town title of a number of years. Although now officially known as Placerville, the community is still frequently referred to as Hangtown . . . R. D.